first make a list of things you think you'd like to do that are fun. Write one on every day (scatter the time-consuming ones around, so they're not all on the same week). Then, make a rule: If you accomplish a goal on a day, you can do the fun thing. Maybe the goal one day is to completely clear out a room. or clear off a surface. Or the goal is to work without stopping for 30 minutes, then a mini-reward, then another 30 minutes, then a mini reward. also, shake it up a bit, so you don't run out of steam. Spend 3 days on your house, doing complicated stuff. Then send 2 days at mom's, throwing out "simple" garbage. Try to create some artificial variety in the type of things you do, or the types of rooms you tackle, etc.

Okay, let me see.......where did I file those pics of the pics.....duhhhh. Yaya, I will put my peabrain into gear and see what I can find. I did upload an album for the HouseMA, which means Massachusetts, which I'll link to below, but there are tons of IN PROCESS photos of the various rooms. But of the small parlor/living room, with that row of pics....which I love, BTW, for the subject matter as well as the frames.... I'll look for the best one and insert it HERE. Look for the albums about the Massachusetts Cape @ Webshots. I took the pictures with my digital camera the day we went to Mystic Seaport CT. It was in December, and the place was almost deserted, so there were no folks in the shots. As a boat captain, I knew of Mystic Seaport for many years, and I was in hog heaven being there. So the pictures meant a lot to me. The second image from the right is a bow shot of the whaling ship Charles W. Morgan, before it went on the ways/weighs to be restored/rebuilt. Fantastic and beautiful, a work of art. Then I saw the end of every bowsprit (pointy end of the ship) had a star carved into it and usually painted gold or sometimes blue. This is a tradition with old sailing vessels, a good luck sign, which meant "follow your lucky star," and I'd always, on every boat I worked on, painted a blue star (5 point) on the bow of the boat. It is a sailor tradition. I just love the traditions of the sea. Seeing one from the "old days" was awesome. That is why I love the last picture to the right. And, of course, I took some figurehead shots. You know of course the ancient mariners would strap a live virgin to the bow, as a sacrifice to the sea gods for their safe return. Eventually, they carved and painted wooden figureheads, not all female, as figureheads. I guess they ran out of virgins? If you have a chance to visit the Mystic Seaport, it is a real treat. Here is a link that might be useful: Moccasin's Webshots albums

groveraxle Thanks a lot!! You are so skilled with editing! I think you should get paid by houzz since you're giving an awesome contribution to design dilemma discussions. :) Although I like how the 2nd and 3rd look, I think I'll go with the first option - for the convenience - it's easier to open/close that doors and in summer I can leave them opened and turn over curtains to have protection while opened. I think I'll try to extend it out of frame despite that nasty beam...funny thing, a year ago I would put curtains as low as I can because I haven't know better, and now when I do know, I can't, lol :)

If this is a true family room, try to have a couch facing the TV if you can. Sofas perpendicular to the TV will be uncomfortable seats for watching TV. How about a small scale (i.e. 74”) couch facing the TV, flanked by comfy swivel chairs and a cocktail ottoman in the middle? That’s a setup that would provide enough decent viewing seats to accommodate having a few friends over to watch a game etc., especially when you factor in the 2-3 bar seats.